My daughter first was given ergotamine IV in the hospital for two days and the headache returned within hours. Then they tried depacote building up slowly for several weeks, and she had awful feelings of anxiety, depression, hopelessness, crying. Her migraines have persisted for two and half months. They want to try topamax. What is your opinion?
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Q: Tried ergotomine and depacote. Now want topomax - what do you think?
Answers (5)
8/29/09 10:03pm
Hi GJ,
One of the most important things is to get an accurate diagnosis for your daugther. To simplify matters and make it easier for people to get information and treatment, doctors usually go by the gold standard for diagnosis, the International Headache Society's International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition (ICHD-II).
You can read more about the importance of a correct diagnosis in The Type of Migraine Does Matter.
To get an accurate diagnosis for your daughter, and if your doctor isn't able to help you, it may well be time to consult a Migraine and headache specialist. It's important to note that neurologists aren't necessarily Migraine and headache specialists. Take a look at the article Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special? If you need help finding a Migraine specialist, check our listing of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.
There are now over 100 medications and supplements that can be used for Migraine and headache prevention.Depakote and Topamax are just two. Some people do very well on Topamax, others not so good. The frustration of trying to find what works for us can make it seem as if we've tried it all, but with so many possible preventives, it's literally impossible to have tried them all. See Migraine preventive medications - too many options to give up! for more information.
I think the most important thing is to break the current Migraine cycle your daughter is in right now. This may mean an IV infusion therapy which can be done is some doctors office's. For more information, see IV Treatment of Refractory Migraine.
I hope this helps. Keep me posted, ok?
Nancy
8/22/09 5:29am
Try Imitrex nasal spray first...Neurontin works for me, Topamax was a nightmare, and Depakote made me loopy..Lexapro helps some..AND drink lots of water:>)
8/22/09 9:12am
Personally I am not too familiar with Depakote, but I am on Topamax which is also an anti-seizure med and I am going through a lot of what you have described your daughter going through and am about to go off this medication because of it. This site might help you, Nancy sent it to me when I posted that I was having trouble on the Topamax. http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/news-279110-5.html I hope this helps!!
8/22/09 9:35pm
Hi! I feel your frustration. The preventative that I have had the most success with is called Namenda. It is an Alzheimer's drug. I had a blessed 3 month period when I first went on it when I had NO HAs. That was a huge improvement from getting 2-5 migraines a week plus some other kind of HA most every other day. I am not finding as much relief now, but they have just increased my dose. I have also been on the DHE while in the hospital. At times it has helped, other times it has not. I find that I have better luck with the nasal spray form of it - Migranal. It is an abortive. Hope your daughter finds relief.
9/ 2/09 11:15pm
It's hard finding the right preventive medicine for these migraines. Some people do good with Tompamax, and otheres do well with Zonegran. I am on Depakote and just got it bumped up to 2x a day 500 mg. The last few days have been not too bad for me. I'm not totally healed yet, but not giving up hope. Midrin is an abortive, meaning you take it as soon as you feel the migraine coming. It usually helps. If not you can wait an hour and take another. usually you can take 3-5 a day. Depending what the doctor says. Good luck with your daughter. These are hard to live with, I know.
Denise
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By GJ— Last Modified: 12/19/10, First Published: 08/22/09
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